Abstract: A wind energy system 10 comprises a wind tunnel module 12 having openings 14a and 14b at opposite ends. The openings have substantially the same cross-sectional area although the cross-sectional area of the wind tunnel module 12 decreases from the openings 14a and 14b in a direction toward an intermediate portion 16 of the tunnel module. The intermediate portion 16 has a substantially constant cross-sectional area. One or more wind turbines with equal or different number of blades may be mounted in the wind tunnel in or adjacent to the intermediate portion 16. The intermediate portion 16 is bendable to enable the module 12 to conform to a roof 20 of any pitch.

Abstract: A wind energy conversion system for a building comprises one or more wind powered turbines, a pitched roof structure having a first pitch on which the turbines are mounted, and a cover supported on the pitched roof structure above the turbines. The cover has a second pitch that is less than the first pitch. The cover and roof structure together create a wind tunnel that directs wind to flow through the turbines. Cowlings are also provided for each of the turbines. Each cowling surrounds an upper portion of a corresponding turbine. The cowlings are aerodynamically shaped and configured to concentrate air flow across or through a wind rotor of its respective turbine. The cowlings extend in a vertical direction between the cover and the roof structure.

Abstract: A base tile 100 comprises a substrate 102 having a first surface 104 and an electrical connection system 200 supported by the substrate 102. The electrical connection system comprises a plurality of conducting posts 204. Each post 204 extends from a bottom surface 112 of the base tile 100 toward the first surface 104 of the substrate 102. A free end 206 of each post enables electrical and mechanical connection to a photovoltaic tile 10. The electrical connection system 200 also includes a electrical conductors 200 that electrically connect the posts 202 together.

Abstract: An electrical connection system 200 comprises a rail 202 and a plurality of electrically conducting posts 204 fixed to the rail 202. The rail 202 is in the form of a tube or rod provided with complimentary electrical connectors 208 and 210 at opposite ends. Each post 204 is coupled to a rail 202 by a short transverse link 205. A fitting 216 is provided at a free end 206 of each post 204 to facilitate mechanical and electrical connection with a through hole terminal. Pairs of rails 202 may be disposed side by side to form nominal positive and negative rails with the posts of the rails 202 interleaving each other and in mutual alignment. In some instances, photovoltaic tiles 10 that include holes 28 and 30 forming conductive terminals are fitted over posts 204.

Abstract: An electrical connection system for providing electrical connection between first and second devices comprises one or more electrical connection posts and one or more electrical connection tubes. Each post has a first end and an opposite second end, where the first end is configured to electrically connect with a first device such as a photovoltaic cell. Each tube has an opening to receive and provide electrical connection with the second end of a respective post. First and second end connectors are provided at respective opposite axial ends of a connection tube to enable end to end electrical connection between adjacent tubes. The opening comprises a longitudinal slot together with a plurality of secondary slots. Each secondary slot comprises a first length that extends in a circumferential direction, and a second length that extends in the axial direction, with a circular portion that acts as an electrical contact.

Abstract: A solar panel 400 comprises: a base tile 100, a plurality of photovoltaic tiles 10, a connection system 200, for each photovoltaic tile 10 one or more electrical bypass devices 42. Each photovoltaic tile 10 comprises one or more photovoltaic cells 12 electrically connected together to form a photovoltaic cell circuit 40. The connection system 200 is supported by or on the base tile 100, and electrically connects the photovoltaic tiles 10 together in groups of two or more photovoltaic tiles, and mechanically couples the photovoltaic tiles 10 to the base tile 100. At least one bypass device 42 is shunted across a set of one or more of the photovoltaic cells 12 in the photovoltaic cell circuit 40. Each bypass device 42 provides a current path for the photovoltaic cell circuit 40 across the set of photovoltaic cells 12 when an output voltage across the set of photovoltaic cells is less than a predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: A photovoltaic tile 10 comprises a carrier tile 12 and a photovoltaic tile 14 supported in a recess 20 formed on a first side 18 of the carrier tile 12. Through hole electrical terminals 28 and 30 are provided on the carrier tile 12 and are in electrical connection with the photovoltaic cell 14. A cover plate 16 overlays the photovoltaic cell 14 and is sealed to the carrier tile 12. The photovoltaic tile 10 is made of an appearance to mimic that of a slate or shingle used for covering a roof.

Abstract: A wind energy system 10 comprises a wind tunnel module 12 having openings 14a and 14b at opposite ends. The openings have substantially the same cross-sectional area although the cross-sectional area of the wind tunnel module 12 decreases from the openings 14a and 14b in a direction toward an intermediate portion 16 of the tunnel module. The intermediate portion 16 has a substantially constant cross-sectional area. One or more wind turbines with equal or different number of blades may be mounted in the wind tunnel in or adjacent to the intermediate portion 16. The intermediate portion 16 is bendable to enable the module 12 to conform to a roof 20 of any pitch.

Abstract: A base tile 100 comprises a substrate 102 having a first surface 104 and an electrical connection system 200 supported by the substrate 102. The electrical connection system comprises a plurality of conducting posts 204. Each post 204 extends from a bottom surface 112 of the base tile 100 toward the first surface 104 of the substrate 102. A free end 206 of each post enables electrical and mechanical connection to a photovoltaic tile 10. The electrical connection system 200 also includes a electrical conductors 200 that electrically connect the posts 202 together.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell circuit (40, 50) is disclosed which comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells (12) connected in series. At least one switching device (42) is shunted across a group of one or more of the photovoltaic cells (12). The switching device (42) provides a current path for the circuit (40, 50) when light is obstructed from impinging on one or more of the photovoltaic cells (12) across which the switching device (42) is shunted.

Abstract: An electrical connection system 200 comprises a rail 202 and a plurality of electrically conducting posts 204 fixed to the rail 202. The rail 202 is in the form of a tube or rod provided with complimentary electrical connectors 208 and 210 at opposite ends. Each post 204 is coupled to a rail 202 by a short transverse link 205. A fitting 216 is provided at a free end 206 of each post 204 to facilitate mechanical and electrical connection with a through hole terminal. Pairs of rails 202 may be disposed side by side to form nominal positive and negative rails with the posts of the rails 202 interleaving each other and in mutual alignment.

Abstract: A photovoltaic tile assembly comprises a base tile having at least one solid region through which a mechanical fastener is driven for fastening the base tile to an underlying roof structure. The assembly further comprises one or more cover tiles each having a photovoltaic cell for converting solar energy into electricity. The cover tiles are electrically and mechanically coupled to a corresponding base tile by electrical connection posts. The posts are supported within the base tile and have a first end that contacts with and provides electrical connection with respective output terminals of the cover tile. Additionally, the first end penetrates through the cover tile to provide mechanical attachment of the cover tile to a base tile. Each post also has a second end that is electrically coupled to an electrical connection tube to facilitate electrical coupling of the cover tiles to a power management system.

Abstract: An electrical connection system for providing electrical connection between first and second devices comprises one or more electrical connection posts and one or more electrical connection tubes. Each post has a first end and an opposite second end, where the first end is configured to electrically connect with a first device such as a photovoltaic cell. Each tube has an opening to receive and provide electrical connection with the second end of a respective post. First and second end connectors are provided at respective opposite axial ends of a connection tube to enable end to end electrical connection between adjacent tubes. The opening comprises a longitudinal slot together with a plurality of secondary slots. Each secondary slot comprises a first length that extends in a circumferential direction, and a second length that extends in the axial direction, with a circular portion that acts as an electrical contact.

Abstract: A hydroelectric system converts kinetic energy from water flowing off a roof of a building into electrical energy. The system comprises a turbine having a rotor and a generator disposed in a down pipe. The down pipe has an upper end that receives water running off the roof via gutters. The down pipe comprises first and second channels that extend from the upper end to respective outlets. Each of the outlets direct water onto the rotor causing rotation in the same direction. The channels are configured in a manner so that water entering the down pipe initially flows through the first channel and out from a first outlet. However in a heavy downpour the first channel may overflow into the second channel to subsequently flow out of a second outlet providing further drive to the rotor. A regulating reservoir is provided at the upper end of the down pipe to provide a controlled steady flow of water through the first channel. The reservoir has an upright wall provided with a lower outlet and an upper outlet.

Abstract: A roof based energy conversion system for a building with a roof comprises a roof frame structure and a plurality of solar energy converting tile assemblies. The solar energy converting tile assemblies may comprise a selection of photovoltaic tile assemblies that convert solar energy into electrical energy and thermal tile assemblies that convert solar energy to thermal energy. Both tile assemblies have substantially the same exterior appearance so as to be visually indistinguishable when laid together on the same roof structure. The energy conversion system may also incorporate a hydroelectric system that is configured to convert kinetic energy from rain running off the roof structure to electrical energy and a wind energy conversion system that converts kinetic energy of moving air into electrical energy. An energy management system may be provided that receives electrical energy from the tiles, the hydroelectric system, and the wind energy conversion system.

Abstract: A wind energy conversion system for a building comprises one or more wind powered turbines, a pitched roof structure having a first pitch on which the turbines are mounted, and a cover supported on the pitched roof structure above the turbines. The cover has a second pitch that is less than the first pitch. The cover and roof structure together create a wind tunnel that directs wind to flow through the turbines. Cowlings are also provided for each of the turbines. Each cowling surrounds an upper portion of a corresponding turbine. The cowlings are aerodynamically shaped and configured to concentrate air flow across or through a wind rotor of its respective turbine. The cowlings extend in a vertical direction between the cover and the roof structure.